New Jersey § 19:53b-13

§ 19:53b-13.

In canvassing the emergency ballots, the district board shall count the votes as follows: a. If proper marks are made in the squares provided for the names of any candidates

in any column and the total number voted for, for each office, does not exceed the

number of candidates to be elected to each office, a vote shall be counted for each

candidate so marked. b. If proper marks are made in the squares provided for any names of any candidates

in any column, a vote shall be counted for each candidate so marked; but if the district

board canvassing the emergency ballots, or the county board, judge of the Superior

Court or other judge or officer conducting a recount thereof, shall be satisfied that

the placing of the marks to the left and right of the names was intended to identify

or distinguish the emergency ballot, then the emergency ballot shall not be counted

and shall be declared null and void. c. If no marks are made in the squares provided for the names of any candidates in

any column, but are made to the right of the names, a vote shall not be counted for

the candidates so marked, but shall be counted for the other candidates as are properly

marked; but if the district board canvassing the emergency ballot, or the county

board, judge of the Superior Court or other judge or officer conducting a recount

thereof, shall be satisfied that the placing of the marks to the right of the names

was intended to identify or distinguish the emergency ballot, the emergency ballot

shall be declared null and void. d. Where the name of any person is written in the column designated personal choice,

and a cross x, plus + or check ✓ appears in the square provided for the name, it shall

be counted as a vote for that person. e. In the case of any public question printed on the emergency ballot where a proper

mark is made in the square provided for the word “Yes,” it shall be counted as a vote

in favor of that public question. If a proper mark is made in the square provided for the word “No,” it shall be counted

as a vote against same. If no mark is made in the square provided for either the word “Yes” or “No,” it

shall not be counted as a vote either in favor of or against the public question. If a mark is made in each of the squares provided for both the words “Yes” and “No,”

it shall not be counted either as a vote in favor of or against the public question

nor shall it invalidate the emergency ballot. f. If a voter marks more names than there are persons to be elected to an office,

or writes the name of any person in the column designated personal choice, whose name

is printed upon the emergency ballot as a candidate under the same title of office,

or the choice of the voter cannot be determined, that emergency ballot shall not be

counted for that office, but shall be counted for those other offices as are properly

marked. g. If the mark made for any candidate or public question is substantially a cross

x, plus + or check ✓ and is substantially within the square, it shall be counted for

the candidate or for or against the public question, as the case may be. No vote shall be counted for any candidate in any column or for or against any public

question unless the mark made is substantially a cross x, plus + or check ✓ and is

substantially within the square.